Reflections
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:11-13)
If we have seen the Truth of grace, and embraced it through Christ, as the basis of our life, what will be carried in that Truth? What will the grace of God teach or reveal to us? Not that we are free to sin because grace abounds. This is NOT what grace reveals — even though if we sin grace always DOES abound. The revelation of grace in Christ will not only teach us, but motivate us by faith, “to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts.” We will want to live, “sober, righteous, and godly,” lives. In short, the true grace of God never leads to license. If I am in living in license, I have not embraced the Truth of His grace, but rather, I have denied it.
This is because of the nature of conversion to Christ: In order for a person to be saved, the conviction of God will have brought them to a, “Godly sorrow that works unto repentance not to be repented of.” (II Cor. 7:10) Thus.if a person has repented of sin, they will no longer want to sin. Thus, they aren’t going to embrace license. They will, despite failures, want to obey God; want to be free of sin. This is the impact on a person who has seen and values the grace of God.